A La Porte man who shot a dog was sentenced in La Porte Circuit Court on July 27, 2007.
David Palen, 43, was sentenced to one year of probation with 38 days credited for time already served and 72 days suspended. He was ordered to pay $250 in restitution and undergo psychiatric evaluation.
Palen was found guilty of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, a Class D felony, at a bench trial June 20. Upon completion of his sentence, the charge will be amended to a Class A misdemeanor.
Palen informed Judge Thomas Alevizos that he intended to appeal his sentence. A status hearing was scheduled for Aug. 10.
According to court documents, Palen was riding his bike past a driveway in the 3300 south block of U.S. 35 in September 2004 when a family dog approached. Palen shot the small dog two or three times and continued riding. He reportedly told the La Porte County Sheriff�s Department he shot the dog because it was coming after him and he was in fear for his safety.
The dog was taken to the Purdue North Central Veterinarian ER clinic, where it recovered.
Police later found the angle of trajectory of the bullet was less than 25 degrees, and that it was on line to hit the dog�s owner and patrons of a garage sale. Numerous children were reportedly playing in a front yard about 35 yards from where the shooting occurred, according to court records. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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